According to the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee (AEB AMC) in Moscow, new car and light commercial vehicle sales in Russia rose by 3.4 percent or 5,041 units sold in September to 154,409 cars.

In the third quarter, sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia fell by 13.9 percent or 176,587 units to 1,094,805 cars compared with the same period in 2019.

“September is traditionally a good month for the automotive business,” said AEB-AMC chairman Thomas Staertzel. “In addition to the slowdown in purchasing demand and the weaker ruble, lower travel activity and government support measures led to the third month of growth this year, with an increase of 3.4 percent compared to September 2019.

For the first time this year, the largest players even exceeded the market average, contributing to a milder 13.9-percent year-on-year decline. With an expectation of a relatively stable fourth quarter without serious business constraints despite the current worsening pandemic situation, AEB AMC’s new 2020 forecast of 1,522 thousand (1.5 million) passenger cars and light commercial vehicles is more positive, down 13.5 percent year-on-year.”